Reminders for Safe Travel this Holiday Season

With the holiday season in full swing in Arizona, many residents are starting to think about their travel plans, whether they will take place inside or outside of the state. Many school districts in Phoenix and across the Valley are on winter break and many others will be in the coming days so some residents are already on the move. Most of these people will travel on some of the busiest expressways in the area, including the Loop 101, Loop 202, 10, 60, and 17.

More Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home this year than in any year since 2009. With nearly 100 million travelers anticipated, roads will be busy and will be congested. Arizona will not escape this influx of vehicular traffic and therefore those in Phoenix are wise to consider this possibility before they leave home.

At Abels & Annes, P.C., our personal injury lawyers have experience in holiday car accidents and their devastation. With all we know, we want to pass on the following tips to make your trip as safe and uneventful as possible if you are traveling this year:

– If traffic is heavy, keep to your lane: Drivers can be frustrated when traffic backs up, leading them to seek any opening or any opportunity to get ahead of the congestion. But needlessly switching between lanes rarely improves a motorist’s situation and often leads to increased risk. Changing lanes during times of heavy traffic is a common cause of side impact collisions and other accidents which will not only ruin your day but will also cause that traffic to worsen. Instead, stick to one lane when possible and when you have no need to move and try to be patient until traffic lessens.

– Keep your focus on the road: If you are traveling this season, it is easy to focus on the events ahead with your family and friends. But while you are in your vehicle, keep your attention on the road and on traffic surrounding you. Try to ignore outside distractions like billboards and scenic views and do not let inside distractions take you away from your task. If your passengers are arguing or children as misbehaving, do not endanger your entire car by losing focus. If you need to, pull over to the side of the road and address any distractions while your vehicle is parked safely.

– Remain calm: Losing your cool will not improve your drive or will not ease traffic but it will increase your risk for an accident. Instead, try to remember that you are not capable of controlling the actions of other drivers and do your best to stay level headed if you find yourself in a frustrating situation.

– Never drink and drive: Many will celebrate the holiday season with alcohol but the holidays do not change the fact that it is illegal to drink and drive in the State of Arizona. In addition to being a crime, drinking and driving is a threat to public safety as motorists who are inebriated are more likely to cause a collision. If you choose to drink this year, abstain from driving and instead use a designated driver, public transportation, or a taxi cab is possible. If not, wait until it is safe for you to drive before leaving your location.

The personal injury attorneys at Abels & Annes, P.C. wish you and your family a safe and joyous holiday season and we hope that if you are traveling, your journey is free from accidents.

If tragedy strikes and you are involved in a collision, our legal team will be standing by 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call and help you understand your options following your crash. We will provide you with a free case consultation without any obligation and we will talk about your specific car accident and injuries to help you know how the laws of Arizona will apply to you. We can be reached toll free at (855) PHX-LAWYER or locally at (602) 819-5191.

If an accident leaves you injured or affects the life of your loved one, call us and let us help you seek the relief you deserve.